Jul 15, 2025 | News
Safe and Sound, a Derby-based charity dedicated to safeguarding children and young people, is delighted to announce the incredible contributions of a team of apprentices from Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK’s internal and external apprenticeship scheme.
The team of 10 Apprentices, have spent months researching, planning, and executing a transformative project at the newly opened Osmaston Community Hub. Their dedicated efforts, funded by the Toyota Manufacturing UK Charitable Trust, have enhanced the hub’s security, functionality, and appeal for the young people it serves.
The Toyota apprentices took the time to understand Safe and Sound’s mission and the specific needs of the Osmaston Community Hub. Their project has made the hub a safer and more inviting environment for children and young people.
Their improvements include:
- Enhanced Security – The team meticulously built a robust fence for the front of the hub and around the back of the Multi-Use Games Area, providing increased security and peace of mind for everyone using the facilities.
- Transformed Outdoor Space – The apprentices have turned the previously underutilised outside area into a vibrant and usable space. They constructed two sturdy picnic benches, a single bench, and a unique corner unit complete with flower beds and comfortable seating. A truly amazing touch was the inclusion of sensory plants, chosen for their pleasant textures and scents, adding an enriching element for the young people.
- Innovative Indoor Features – Inside the hub, the team showcased their creativity and engineering skills by building a fantastic gaming chair from a repurposed car seat, complete with a steering wheel and pedals. They also crafted a beautiful clock and a stylish table from repurposed alloy materials, adding unique and engaging elements to the interior.
Tina Green, Deputy CEO of Safe and Sound, expressed her thanks for Toyota’s partnership,
“We are absolutely thrilled with the outstanding work carried out by the Toyota apprentices. They have gone above and beyond, not only making the Osmaston Community Hub more secure but also creating truly wonderful and inspiring spaces, both inside and out. Their commitment to understanding our requirements and delivering such high-quality, thoughtful solutions is genuinely inspiring. The young people at the centre already love what they’ve done, and we’ve even heard that one young person has been inspired to explore the apprenticeship scheme at Toyota – a fantastic testament to the apprentices’ positive influence!”
Richard Finchett, Trustee for the Charitable Trust and Deputy Managing Director at Toyota Manufacturing UK commented
“What a fantastic opportunity for our apprentices to put their skills to good use, whilst benefitting some amazing local organisations – a win-win all round”.
This collaboration exemplifies the power of community partnership, demonstrating how local businesses can make a tangible difference in supporting vital charitable work and inspiring the next generation.
Jul 3, 2025 | News
Safe and Sound, a specialist charity in Derbyshire dedicated to supporting young people impacted by child exploitation, is delighted to announce its successful relocation to a newly purchased and refurbished city centre building at Bold Lane.
This landmark move from their previous Darley Abbey premises marks a pivotal moment for the charity, enabling a significant upscale in facilities and capacity to meet the surging demand for its vital services.
The charity’s CEO Tracy Harrison, outlined the critical importance of this expansion in the face of a rapidly accelerating and complex problem.
“The doubling of referrals since the pandemic underscores a stark reality – child exploitation knows no boundaries of age, gender, or family background. Previously our rented premises in Darley Abbey constrained our capacity, limiting both our team’s workspace and our ability to deliver an expanding programme of vital activities, support, and therapies essential for helping young people and their families move forward.”
Tracy continued, ” The Bold Lane premises represent a transformative step. This amazing community asset will dramatically increase our impact by providing a centrally located, safe, and welcoming sanctuary for vulnerable children and their families.”
Featuring a new family kitchen, dedicated relaxation areas, and diverse activity stations, the facility at Bold Lane provides a comprehensive and welcoming space for young people and families to access essential help and support.
Safe and Sound extends its profound gratitude to Armsons Barlow, Davlyn Construction and all individuals and organisations who contributed to this significant achievement.
“I am particularly grateful for the support shown by fellow professionals who have recognised the value that Safe and Sound brings to our city and county, and who have provided us with their expertise to enable us to secure this purchase and transform it into this exceptional new facility. We also received significant funding from the government’s Community Ownership fund for which we are also grateful,” said Tracy.
This strategic relocation will enable Safe and Sound to significantly enhance its comprehensive services, delivering vital support, therapies, and a secure environment to young people and families whose lives have been profoundly affected by exploitation.
Jun 20, 2025 | Jobs, News
Safe and Sound, Derbyshire’s leading safeguarding charity dedicated to supporting children, young people, and families affected by exploitation, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Vic Handley as its newest Ambassador.
Vic Handley brings a wealth of experience, passion, and a deep-rooted commitment to community well-being to his new role. Retired for nine years, Vic’s distinguished career saw him as the Deputy Group Managing Director and part-owner of VAN ELLE, where his responsibilities spanned everything from PR to HR, showcasing his diverse expertise and leadership.
Beyond his professional achievements, Vic is a true local hero and family man. He boasts a fantastic wife, three children, and five grandchildren ranging from 20 years to just six months old. His dedication extends to his impressive sporting pursuits, including playing walking football for Derby County and proudly earning five England caps for his country. At 54, he also famously competed in the British Indoor Rowing Championships.
Tracy Harrison, CEO at Safe and Sound said:
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Vic to the Safe and Sound family as an Ambassador. Vic’s incredible professional background, combined with his passion for sport and community, makes him a truly inspiring figure. His commitment to protecting young people and his deep understanding of the local landscape will be invaluable in helping us raise awareness and secure vital support for our work.”
As an Ambassador, Vic will help champion Safe and Sound’s mission, raising vital awareness about child exploitation and supporting the charity’s fundraising efforts. His personal drive and dedication to making a positive impact will undoubtedly resonate with the communities Safe and Sound serves.
Commenting on his appointment, Vic Handley said:
“I am incredibly honoured and proud to become an Ambassador for Safe and Sound. Their work in protecting vulnerable children and empowering families is absolutely crucial. Having lived and worked in this community for many years, I understand the importance of safeguarding our young people. I look forward to using my experience and connections to support Safe and Sound in their vital mission and help ensure every child has the chance to grow up safe and happy.”
Vic’s appointment further strengthens Safe and Sound’s commitment to building strong community links and ensuring that more children, young people, and their families receive the support they desperately need.
Jun 17, 2025 | News, Opinion
Following the release of Baroness Casey’s report on the National Audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Tracy Harrison, CEO at Safe and Sound – Derby and Derbyshire’s child exploitation charity, has issued the following statement:
“We must address the uncomfortable truth that child exploitation occurs everywhere, including Derby and Derbyshire, despite the common misconception that “it doesn’t happen here.”
It’s a sad reality that vulnerable young people, particularly those with disabilities or in challenging circumstances, are at higher risk. As a community, we must unite to protect our children.
“We fully support the recommendation for professionals to collect better data, as we know child sexual exploitation is significantly underreported. In Derby and Derbyshire, we have a strong foundation of regular information sharing between statutory and voluntary agencies, though we acknowledge there’s still more we can all do.”
“As referred to on page 25 of the review, Safe and Sound played a crucial role, both nationally and locally through Operations Retriever and Kern – the first prosecutions for Child Sexual Exploitation in Derby and Derbyshire, in raising awareness and initiating our multi-agency collaborative efforts to combat this abhorrent and frequently concealed crime.”
“We hope this report leads to more long-term funding for victim support and efforts to combat child exploitation. We also want to see a more integrated approach within the criminal justice system, so young victims don’t face lengthy waits for their cases to be heard and for perpetrators to be brought to justice. Our work is deeply victim-centred and trauma-informed, providing support for as long as each child needs it. We’ve seen a significant increase in our caseload, from supporting 100 young people in 2019 to nearly 400 in 2023/24.”
“Our focus must remain firmly on the support of victims of child criminal exploitation. We must end victim blaming and the suggestion that young people contribute to their own exploitation. As Casey wisely stated, “we need to treat children as children.””
